Peninsula residents kick off the Chinese New Year in Palo Alto [PHOTOS]

The Asian Cultural Dance Troop, led by instructor Alan Fong on drums, performs at Bloomingdale's in Palo Alto on Sunday as part of a Chinese New Year celebration. (Photo: Rachel Estabrook / Peninsula Press)

Yesterday marked the start of the Chinese Year of the Snake, and people from around the Peninsula came to Palo Alto to celebrate. The Asian Cultural Dance Troupe from North San Jose’s Orchard School performed a traditional lion dance at Ming’s Chinese Restaurant and at Bloomingdale’s at the Stanford Shopping Center. Liz Chew and Gargi Sengupta lead the performers, who are in grades 3-8. View Photo Gallery >>